Experts Urge Urgent Action as Pollution Threatens Health, Economy
A Professor of Environmental Chemistry at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Prof. Ilemobayo Ifedayo Oguntimehin, has called on governments at all levels to intensify enforcement of environmental laws and increase funding for research to tackle rising pollution and its impact on public health and development.
Oguntimehin made the appeal while delivering the institution’s 10th Inaugural Lecture titled “The Nexus of Pollutant’s Dynamics: From The Plume To The Plus.” He warned that pollution has become a pervasive global crisis, affecting air, water, and soil systems, with far-reaching consequences for human survival and economic stability.
He noted that contaminants now cut across various categories, including air and water pollutants, soil degradation agents, and emerging threats such as nanoparticles, PFAS chemicals, and electronic waste. According to him, a deeper understanding of pollutant behavior is essential for designing effective environmental protection strategies.
The don, who also serves as Director of OAUSTECH’s Centre for Research, Innovation and Development, stressed the need for coordinated action through advanced environmental monitoring systems, expanded assessment networks, and sustained public enlightenment campaigns.
He further proposed practical measures such as adopting a circular economy model, creating designated zones for auto-mechanic operations, enforcing tree planting initiatives, and strengthening watershed protection. He also suggested pilot agricultural interventions, including mannitol application on tomato farms to boost yields, alongside stronger collaboration between academia and industry.
Oguntimehin urged citizens to play their part by ending indiscriminate waste disposal and embracing waste sorting practices.
Reflecting on his career, he emphasized the urgency of collective responsibility in environmental management, noting that both the tools and economic incentives already exist to address the crisis.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of OAUSTECH, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, described the lecture as insightful and timely, calling on policymakers to translate its recommendations into actionable policies. He also advocated increased investment in tertiary education to strengthen research and innovation.
The inaugural lecture drew participation from academics, industry stakeholders, and members of the university community.
